scohar

Dick, See this discussion. Scott

Just sent four letters to Reps Wolf and Cantor (R-VA), and Sens Webb and Warner (D-VA).

Wes, Your state will determine and approve whatever you do, but I recommend going down to your liquor store, getting some empty boxes, and seeing what they do as a template. Scott

Ralph, You rock. I will certainly contact our senators too. Scott

Apart from the increased labeling costs, our labels will be pretty boring: water, grain, yeast, malt. Rheinheitsgebot minus the hops! :-)

Did you guys see the posting at Lehrman Beverage Law? FDA is imposing nutrition labeling soon for spirits... I sure would like to hear how the small craft distillers (like me) plan to address this. From the TTB: More info at: Lehrman BelLaw Blog

Vendor supplied syringes.

Samples can be 50ml. We do not currently have the setup to run with sugars present. So you'd need to bench distill your stuff first and send us the distillate.

We recently purchased an Anton Paar DMA 5000 density meter to measure % Alcohol/Proof. (No more hydrometer readings!) The DMA 5000 is the same device that the TTB uses in their own compliance lab, and all of the big boy alcohol producers use it as well. These babies aren't cheap, so if any of you find yourselves faced with a pending TTB audit, and would like to have your samples measured before the field agent shows up, please let us know. We'd be happy to run checks for you.

Berle, You are right. We should remain civil. I'm sure Dr. Berglund is a fine person. However, legal actions always get people's hackles up, and I was profoundly bothered by getting the impersonal note that I received for what is an absurd trademark. His action on this issue was bothersome. Scott

I have long used StatCounter to keep track of who is hitting my site, what search engine phrases are getting used, etc. I noticed that yesterday, Dr. Berglund paid another visit to my site using the search terms "Artisan Distilling Workshop". The man is committed! See the graphic if you want to see if Dr. Berglund is hitting your site. Note the use of the google.se search engine, and the originating city of Lansing, MI. I find it extraordinarily amusing that he sent out his email "cease and desist" letters during his pending trademark application, giving all of us ample time and warning to file our protests and oppositions to his application. Thanks Dr. Berglund!

Nice.

My letter of protest has been filed.

The trademark number, for those of you opposing or protesting, is 85023905. Scott

Ralph, Would you be willing to share the text of your opposition and the address you sent it to? I will happily send in one as well, and we might get more ADI folks to do it if we give them a template to make it easy. Thanks, Scott

Great advice, Chris. Thanks!

Thanks, guys! I appreciate the support. Really. Our "Catoctin Creek Distilling Course" is in July: July Course Let them try to argue about that name! I own the trademark on that baby! Cheers, Scott

Got this in email today: Now, I will note that it seems unlikely that this PENDING trademark claim will successfully trademark generic terms like "artisan", "distilling", and "workshop"; however, stranger trademarks have happened. I hate to see patent/trademark trolls like this, though. It really chaps me.

Let me know how I can help out. I'd be interested.

You won't see DISCUS getting behind this issue... not that it's not a great idea for us, but it would go against their big money donors.

I wasn't going to respond, but decided someone should answer you. First thing you need to do is calm down. Your post is practically incoherent and you haven't even started. Don't expect easy answers from this forum. Spend a year (yes, you must be patient!) doing your homework and building a business plan. I will suggest, however, that if you are the only owner, and you have bad credit, it suggests that you may not be the right kind of person to start a business like this. A disciplined approach to money translates into the discipline you will need for DAILY federal records, MONTHLY reporting to the TTB, and (probably) QUARTERLY tax payments. You might want to think about this really hard before you squander hundreds of thousands--if not millions--of your personal wealth on this "neat idea."

Here a company I use. Great products at very good prices. They can get you most anything you can think of. Harris Specialty Advertising - http://www.hsapllc.com/aboutcontact.cfm

Alan! Thanks so much! This makes a lot lot of sense. When I was done with the pear, I opened the still and the steam flowed up all around the front and top of the still. If I polish the still, I'm guessing it will remove the purple layer.

I distilled some pear yesterday, and when I came in this morning, the still was purple! It's gorgeous! Anybody know chemically why that happened? I've half a mind to leave it like this. (See attachment below) Scott

Wow. I wish I could help you. Sounds neat. Interesting topic.